As the semester comes to a close, I find myself feeling increasingly overwhelmed with the amount of stuff I have to do in a day. My motivation continues to decline as summer inches closer and even just the thought of warm weather and long days makes me lazier. I constantly find myself wishing for more hours in the day, or just the ability to survive without sleep.
But guess what? No amount of coffee, sleepless nights, or procrastination is going to get you to your end result. You're better off having a game plan to help you get through the final stretch (and every semester through the end of college).
Use a planner.
Our days are too busy for us to actually remember everything we have to do—so write it down instead. Whether it's paper or electronic (like Google Calendar), having a visual representation of your day will actually help you keep track of everything, from important deadlines to a specific meeting. I use both types—a paper agenda for homework and school stuff, and Google Cal to block out my classes and meetings.
Stop procrastinating.
I get it. We all say we "work better under pressure." But even though you got an A on that paper you spent all night writing, you know you hated every minute of it. Instead, start breaking down larger assignments—papers, projects, and exams—into smaller portions. Spend an hour here and there doing research, writing a rough draft, or making flash cards. Although it requires more planning, you'll definitely thank yourself later when you don't have to pull an all-nighter.
Plan your day the night before.
Know what time you're waking up, check your planner for deadlines, errands, etc., and make a rough to-do list of everything you want to get done. This way, you can go to bed knowing you have a game plan for the next day just to make sure you don't forget anything.
Block out times for completing to-do list items.
This is super important. When you wake up in the morning, schedule the duration of which you will be completing each item just as if they were extra classes. Need to get started on a paper due next week? Head to the library from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to get started on it before your 12:30 p.m. class. Haven't been to the gym in weeks? Work out from 4 to 5:15 p.m., between your last class and dinner. Even write down when you want to go to bed if you've been lacking in sleep. Seeing everything laid out will make tasks seem more achievable and you'll be less likely to slack off.
Keep your space clean.
When my room's a mess, my thoughts seem just as disorganized. Small steps, like making your bed when you wake up or washing your dishes right after you eat, can instantly de-clutter your space as well as your mind. You'll be more likely to want to sit down and do your work if you can come home to a neat room.
Find where you work best.
You know yourself better than anyone, so if studying in your room or with a group of friends is too distracting for you, don't do it. If you like a little background noise, head to a coffee shop, or if you need complete silence, go to the upper floors of the library. Remember, you are trying to make the best use of your time, so stick to whatever will help you focus the most.
Turn off distractions.
There's an app called SelfControl that prevents you from accessing social media sites for your desired amount of time, and I also like to put my phone on airplane mode, so I don't feel tempted to check my texts. Another good idea is to set a timer for 50 minutes, where you will work straight through until it goes off. Then, you can have 10 minutes of checking social media, responding to texts, etc. before you have to get to work again.
Schedule in relaxation time.
For your sanity, you need to make time for yourself, whether that's staying in and watching a movie or going out with friends. And I don't just mean on the weekends, but weeknights too. Taking the time to chill out will make you more productive in the long run, because not only does it give you a nice reward when you get your work done, but it also gives your brain a break (and just makes you a happier person overall).
